It was already late July when Zhao Chen returned to the Owl Dragon Star System.

This round trip to the Reef Starfield, and dealing with matters there, took almost another month.

"Once the Star Gates between the two Galaxies are built, travel will be much more convenient," Zhao Chen said, standing on the Bridge of the T3 Blizzard, sipping a drink Lilith had prepared for him, and looking out at the vast starry river.

"Chief Engineer Annie has sent a notification that the T3 Brightmoon-class Stargate in the Owl Dragon Star System has been completed and requests your inspection," Lilith reported nearby.

"Then we must go see it, but I estimate that little girl will bring up the bonus issue with me again," Zhao Chen thought of the short girl; her work attitude and her usual demeanor were truly like two different people.

Just imagine, a group of Half-Beastman craftsmen and dwarf craftsmen standing in front of Annie, respectfully calling her Chief Engineer.

Why does that scene feel inexplicably comical?

The T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser began to sail, heading towards the location where the Star Gate was built.

A few minutes later, Zhao Chen could vaguely see the massive Star Gate; it had not yet been activated, giving it a lifeless feeling.

But even so, it still gave off a sense of majesty without losing an artistic touch.

The design of this T3 Brightmoon-class Stargate was like two 'crescent moons' reflecting each other, and one of the external materials of the 'crescent moons' was a crystal-clear, high-strength ore, which added to its artistic beauty.

"Report, Chief Engineer Annie has boarded a shuttle and is requesting to come aboard," a Bridge crew member reported.

"Let her in," Zhao Chen said with a smile.

He could almost imagine the upcoming scenario.

"Lilith, do you believe that when that girl walks into the Bridge, she'll immediately complain to me and act like she's half-dead?" Zhao Chen asked, smiling at Lilith.

Lilith smiled without speaking.

Soon, the Bridge door automatically opened, and Annie, with two dark circles under her eyes, a vacant stare, and her arms hanging limply, walked in like a zombie.

"Commander... Commander... Commander Sir..." Annie didn't even lift her eyelids as she greeted Zhao Chen, then walked straight to the Captain's chair.

This time, she directly slumped her upper body onto the Captain's chair, her legs dangling weakly to the ground.

Zhao Chen didn't even look at Annie, who was sprawled on the Captain's chair, but instead pointed to the distant Star Gate and chatted with Lilith about some key technological issues of the Star Gate.

"The earliest Star Gates belonged to the T2-class Star Gate, because the t2 star battleship of that time still used Level 4 warp engines.

Traveling within a Star System was not a problem, and short-distance cross-Star System warp travel, like from our Owl Dragon Star System to the neighboring Arctic Fox Star System, would take about four or five days, which was still acceptable.

But what if you needed to travel across multiple Galaxies?

At that time, there was no definition of a Starfield.

Otherwise, relying solely on t2 star battleship to cross the North Wind Star Sector would take at least half a year.

But now? Relying on the Star Gate, it only takes one or two days.

Therefore, it was the Star Gate technology that shortened time and space.

The subsequent T3 Star Gate and T4 Star Gate mainly upgraded the stability and safety of travel, as well as the number of fleets that could be projected, the crossing distance, and so on.

Although our T3 Star Gate cannot project as many fleets as other Star Gates of the same level, its crossing distance has already reached the T4 Star Gate level..."

Annie, sprawled on the chair, had already opened her small eyes; she had waited a long time for Commander Sir to call her, as if he had ignored her existence.

Listening to that nagging voice, it seemed like he could chat for several hours.

Annie, who already had little patience, finally pouted and got up: "Commander Sir... Annie... is so tired she's sprawled here, why don't you... care about Annie?"

"Tired? If you're tired, just lie down for a bit longer. Lilith, go get her a blanket," Zhao Chen said without turning his head.

Annie walked up to Zhao Chen, looking as if she had suffered a great injustice: "Commander Sir... Annie... to complete the Star Gate construction plan as quickly as possible... I've lost several pounds in these past two months!"

Zhao Chen snapped his fingers, and a small robot appeared, picking Annie up.

Before Annie could react,

The small robot reported in a mechanical voice: "Weight... 28 kilograms..."

Zhao Chen narrowed his eyes at Annie: "I remember Annie's weight two months ago was only about 25 kilograms..."

Exposed on the spot, Annie rolled her eyes, put on a very weak act, and swayed her body: "Maybe... I... got fat from being tired."

Zhao Chen smiled, raised his hand, and displayed a video screen.

It was a view of the T3 Blizzard's hangar and corridor.

It recorded Annie's entire process from getting off the shuttle in the hangar to the Bridge.

Annie leaped out of the shuttle, then jogged all the way, even bouncing and skipping.

There was no sign of weakness whatsoever.

But just as she was about to reach the Bridge, Annie immediately stopped, patted her face, and then in the next second, she entered her'state,' looking like she was half-dead.

"I saw you were quite active before, so how come you're so tired as soon as you enter my Bridge?" Zhao Chen looked at Annie with a half-smile.

Lilith, beside him, ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) was trying hard to suppress her laughter, tears almost flowing from her eyes.

Now it was good; Annie's disguise was exposed, like an execution on the spot.

Annie pouted, sat down on the ground, and deliberately rubbed her eyes with her hand: "What am I working so hard for? Isn't it for our respected Commander Sir, for our Xiaolong Fleet?

I... I just want to apply for more benefits for everyone."

As she spoke, Annie's tears streamed down.

"Alright, in consideration of our Chief Engineer Annie's selflessness, benefits can be given," Zhao Chen paused.

Annie immediately looked up, eagerly watching Zhao Chen.

"All technical staff involved in this Star Gate construction project, except for our selfless Chief Engineer Annie, will receive a bonus equivalent to half a month's salary."

Hearing Zhao Chen's words, Annie was dumbfounded.

Now it was good; only she was left without any benefits.

Zhao Chen suddenly walked up to Annie, extended his hand, and touched the 'dark circles' under Annie's eyes.

The 'dark circles' were actually partially wiped away by Zhao Chen, and at the same time, there was an onion smell.

"It seems our Chief Engineer Annie is really tired, isn't she?" Zhao Chen looked at Annie with a grin.

Annie was utterly mortified; she instantly darted behind Lilith and buried her face in Lilith's waist.

"Alright, Commander is just teasing you. For the technical workers involved in this Star Gate construction plan, everyone will receive a half-month bonus.

You will too; this was something the Commander decided a long time ago," Lilith said, stroking Annie's small head.

In the Xiaolong Fleet's welfare system, in addition to dining standards and monthly salaries, some reward benefits were later added.

For example, combat personnel who participated in the battle in the Lion King Star System previously received wartime subsidies.

These technical staff who built the Star Gate in the rear, working overtime to complete the Star Gate, naturally also received bonuses.

Annie immediately turned her sadness into joy, looking at Zhao Chen with a grin, and pouting, said, "Commander only knows how to bully Annie!"